Following relegation from the Premier League in May it's been a steady, if unspectacular, start to the season for Garry Monk's men. Goalscoring was Boro's achilles heel in the top flight last season, and they took a while to warm their shooting boots this term. After just four goals in the opening five games, which did include narrow wins over Burton Albion and Sheffield United, a 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers signalled an upturn in form.

Boro go into Saturday's game having lost just one in eight in all competitions, a 1-0 reverse at home to Norwich City on Tuesday night, and on the back of five clean sheets in their last seven. At the other end of the pitch, £15 million summer-signing Britt Assombalonga has been responsible for five of their 11 league goals this campaign.

Assombalonga was just one of a number of big-money summer additions which included Irish internationals Darren Randolph and Cyrus Christie, Danish striker Martin Braithwaite, as well as Johnny Howson, Ashley Fletcher, and Ryan Shotton. Garry Monk has a full squad to choose from with the exception of Rudy Gestede who misses out with a thigh injury.

The Manager

Garry Monk arrived at The Riverside Stadium in June, having left his post at Leeds United the previous month. His only season at Elland Road saw him lead United to a seventh-placed finish, their highest in six years, before resigning in late May.

As a player he began his career with Torquay United before moving on to Southampton in 1996. He had spells with Stockport County, Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday on loan and eventually joined Barnsley on a permanent deal. The centre-back made just three appearances for The Tykes and left on a free at the end of the campaign. He joined League Two side Swansea City in 2004 and went on to play in every division for them until they reached the top flight in 2011, making the majority of his later appearances as captain.

Stepping into the dugout, the 38-year-old saved his former club from relegation and got them to the Round of 32 in the Europa League when he took over from Michael Laudrup in 2014. The following year he led The Swans to league doubles over both Arsenal and Manchester United as they finished eighth and Monk was awarded a new contract. After a run of one win in 11 games, he left Swansea in 2015 after spending more than 12 years of his career with the Welsh club.